Featured
Joy-filled easter celebration at JOALI Maldives
In celebration of the Easter weekend, JOALI Maldives has announced its jampacked schedule of activities between the 6th – 12th April 2023.
An ideal multi-generational family holiday destination, JOALI Maldives comprises 73 elegant and private beach and over-water villas and residences, all impeccably designed and able to cater for families of all sizes with 2, 3 and one 4-bedroom villa available.
Guests of all ages can discover endless opportunities for spectacular adventure, creativity, exhilaration and indulgence on “the Island of Joy”, with a specially curated week-long calendar to suit all interests.
Easter-themed Family Fun
Unique and Easter-inspired experiences will be available for children at the Muramas Kids Club, with parents welcome to join in the seasonal fun. To start the day on a sweet note, children can bake and decorate their own bunny-shaped cinnamon rolls before enjoying plenty of Easter-themed games; such as “hop and pop”, a bunny run, and of course island egg hunts. Arts and crafts will include egg painting, making toy bunnies out of socks, Easter wreath making using Maldivian flowers, Easter-themed face painting, cotton wall bunny crafting, and bunny mask painting.
Tailor-made Easter egg treasure hunts are available for the whole family to participate in throughout the Easter celebrations.
Culinary Creations
To help create an unforgettable holiday experience this Easter, JOALI Maldives will be hosting indulgent culinary feasts at Vandhoo and Bellini’s; Levant-inspired TUH’U restaurant; and at Saoke, with Executive Chef Yamamoto on island to host specially curated menus at the overwater Japanese restaurant. Easter Sunday will begin with an extravagant beachside brunch, followed by a sunset cocktail reception and evening feast for all.
Guests staying at JOALI Maldives over the Easter period can participate in gastronomic experiences with sushi-making classes at Saoke, Chef-led garden tours and salad making sessions, and evening mixology masterclasses. Children can also enjoy a Junior Teppanyaki experience at Saoke, as well as “Little Chef” cooking classes and junior juice mixology.
Art Workshops
Located within JOALI’s own Art Studio and led by the resort’s Resident Artist, Nataliya Kuleshova, this Easter guests can take part in private ceramic art classes; including ceramic painting, ceramic creation workshops, and ceramic glazing.
As the Maldives’ first and only immersive art resort, guests can use their own art-map to explore the island’s interactive art trail. From sculptures to paintings to tapestry to clothing pieces, created in collaboration with international artists and local artisans, JOALI’s art pieces aim to promote messaging around sustainability, nature and community to its guests.
Marine Life Magic
Throughout Easter, guests at JOALI Maldives can enjoy private speedboat trips for scuba-diving, Big Game fishing, sunset cruises, turtle snorkelling trips and dolphin quests.
Closer to shore, guests can enjoy jet ski rides, parasailing, glass-bottom kayaking, paddleboarding, semi-submarine tours, and sea-bob adventures. Budding Marine Biologists can join JOALI’s Marine Biology team for guided snorkelling and to help plant coral fragments onto the house reef’s growing coral nursery.
Dry on land, JOALI’s Resident Marine Biology team will be hosting regular educational talks on ocean conservation, aimed at both adults and children.
Active Adventure
Home to stellar court facilities, guests looking to participate in some festive team sports can join in on games of tennis and padel, as well as a competitive football championship cup. Master Sifu Aniket, a visiting Kung Fu Black Belt champion, will be on the island throughout Easter to offer guests of all ages and abilities both private and group classes in Kung Fu, martial arts, and kickboxing.
Mindfulness and Wellbeing
At JOALI’s ESPA Spa, guests can start the Easter celebrations with an awakening yoga flow, a family-beach yoga session, or Yin yoga at the spa’s scenic overwater yoga pavilion. Connecting with their inner selves, guests can end their day in pure relaxation with crystal bowl meditation and Full Moon bonfire meditation sessions at the spa’s beautiful beach area.
Imagi-Nature Art Festival – 14-18th April
For guests wishing to extend their stay beyond the Easter weekend, from the 14th to 18th April 2023, JOALI Maldives will host the Imagi-Nature Art Festival in collaboration with International Art Consultant, Tatiana Gecmen-Waldek. This innovative project, which harmoniously blends art and messaging of sustainability, offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in unique creative collaborations with celebrated artists from around the world. With the festival taking place over World Art Day on the 15th April, Tatiana has collaborated with JOALI to bring an extraordinary selection of contemporary art to the resort, in the form of exhibitions, artistic performances, and the unveiling of brand-new permanent installations.
Amid the abundant life between the palm trees and sparkling turquoise water sits JOALI Maldives, the very first art-immersive resort in the Maldives. Based on Raa Atoll, one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, guests can expect brilliant blue waters, a myriad of sea life, and pristine white-sand beaches fringed by gently swaying coconut palms. Each of the 73 villas is the epitome of sustainable glamour and was inspired by individual stories and designed to take the guests on a rich sensory journey. Boasting a lavish range of culinary options, every dish at JOALI, tells a story and every plate becomes a journey, a journey of savours, fragrance, and joy – an art immersive experiential dining. Artisanal amenities, curated in-room bookshelves, thoughtful design and deluxe objects d’art creates an atmosphere of unconventional luxury on the island of joy. Central to the JOALI offering is its exceptional array of art and design which pervades all areas of the resort, while at its epicentre is the JOALI Art Studio & Gallery. A selection of international guest artists will exhibit installations to surprise and delight including London-based Glithero and New York-based Misha Kahn, often working with local artisans to intersect design and sculpture.
Rates: This Easter, JOALI Maldives has villas from $3,300 (approx. £2,780) per night based on two sharing a Beach Villa with Pool on a B&B basis. For further details and booking, please visit www.joali.com
The Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series recently hosted a mixology event at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort, featuring Dinesh Mondkar, Flor de Caña’s brand ambassador for India.
The event gave guests an opportunity to explore a selection of rum cocktails while learning more about the craftsmanship and heritage behind the Flor de Caña brand. Set against a sunset backdrop over the ocean, the session combined cocktail-making techniques, brand storytelling and a relaxed island setting.
Guests were introduced to a range of cocktails that highlighted bold flavours and the versatility of rum in contemporary mixology. The evening also offered insight into the methods and presentation behind premium cocktail service, adding an interactive element to the experience.
The event formed part of the resort’s ongoing Behind The Bar Sirru Icon series, which continues to bring recognised figures from the international spirits industry to the Maldives. Through the series, the resort aims to expand its food and beverage offering with curated events that connect guests with global brands and industry expertise.
Such experiences are designed to complement the wider guest programme by combining destination dining and beverage concepts with the setting of the Maldives, while offering visitors a more immersive way to engage with the resort’s hospitality offerings.
Angsana Velavaru has reopened its futsal facility as part of efforts to enhance guest experiences and staff engagement through sport and community activities.
The reopening ceremony was officiated by Dhaalu Atoll Council president Ahmed Shafiu and the resort’s general manager, Ahmed Zahir, who jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.
Located within the island grounds, the futsal court measures 57 metres by 38 metres and is intended to serve as a space for both recreational use and organised activities for guests and resort associates.
The resort said the facility would form part of its wider recreational offering and would host workshops and expert-led collaborations aimed at providing guests with sports-based experiences while also supporting skill development and interaction. It added that the initiative also reflects its focus on staff wellbeing, teamwork and active living.
The opening event included friendly matches between the Angsana Velavaru men’s and women’s teams, as well as an inter-resort match between the Angsana Velavaru Orange Army and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
Adjacent to the futsal court is the resort’s upgraded watersports centre, which now includes updated guest facilities such as shower and changing areas.
Ahmed Zahir said the reopening of the futsal ground represented more than a recreational upgrade and reflected the resort’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for both guests and associates. He said the facility would support active living, connection and wellbeing, while also serving as a space for learning and collaboration.
Angsana Velavaru, located in South Nilandhe Atoll, said the reopening of the futsal facility forms part of its wider efforts to expand its lifestyle and community-focused offerings.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has launched the Graffiti Club to mark World Art Day, introducing a team-led initiative focused on artistic expression, collaboration and storytelling through art.
The resort said the initiative brings together more than 18 team members from across different departments, reflecting a shared interest in creativity. As part of the project, selected back-of-house spaces have been turned into canvases, transforming staff areas into spaces for artistic work.
Inspired by the natural environment of the Maldives and the Maamunagau lagoon, the first set of artworks features marine life such as manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles. The resort said the designs reflect the biodiversity of the destination and its connection to the surrounding ocean. Additional artwork is also being developed as the project continues.
InterContinental Maldives said the initiative is rooted in its brand culture and service philosophy, Inspire Incredible, and is intended to support creativity, collaboration and self-expression among team members.
Renuka Gupta, cluster director of learning and development, said creativity exists in every individual, regardless of role or background. She said the initiative was created to provide team members with a space to express themselves, connect with colleagues and contribute to the environment in which they work each day.
The resort said the Graffiti Club forms part of its wider approach to workplace culture, with a focus on creativity, wellbeing and personal expression alongside the guest experience.
-
Honeymoon1 week agoCentara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers secluded island experiences for couples
-
Awards1 week agoKuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
-
Action1 week agoFour Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa to stage 14th edition of Surfing Champions Trophy
-
Cooking1 week agoBaros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
-
Awards1 week agoAngsana Velavaru achieves 4.8 rating in British Airways Customer Awards
-
Drink1 week agoSirru Fen Fushi showcases mixology collaboration during Easter programme
-
Featured1 week agoGrand Park Kodhipparu to host lunar-themed experiences in May
-
Awards1 week agoCinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition